A Message from the GCMA President

Prof Philip Morris AM, President GCMA

Dear GCMA Colleagues,

I produced a President’s Report for the GCMA recent 2023 Annual General Meeting in March. I include sections of that report in this report for you.

I have been most honored and privileged to be the president of the GCMA over the past four years. During this time we have managed to keep the association running during the Covid-19 pandemic and provided an informative monthly meeting program for members. We have also managed to keep the association financially afloat and improved our bottom line.

While the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic has abated a little, the infection is still circulating in the community. We are now somewhere between a pandemic and endemic stage of this disease. The Omicron variant and its derivative forms seem to be less virulent and are morphing into a severe type of common cold for the healthy members of our community. We are seeing less spread of the virus into tissues and organs beyond the upper respiratory tract. This is probably due in part to the increased immunity of the population from vaccination and natural infections. This is good news.

But there are still members of our population who are susceptible to severe disease from Covid-19. These individuals include the elderly, people with multiple comorbid medical conditions, and especially those with compromised immune systems. We need to do all we can, using appropriate public health measures and protective personal hygiene methods, to prevent these members of our community getting infected. Early treatment with the antiviral medications is an important way of reducing the risk of severe illness.

The Covid-19 vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalisation and severe disease from Covid-19. However we have found that the vaccines are not as good as we hoped at preventing people getting infected with the virus or passing it on to others. And the vaccines are not without their problems.

We are hearing more about vaccine-related injuries. While not common, these reactions to the vaccines need to be taken seriously. For a small number of individuals the vaccines may not be suitable. It is important that persons contemplating further vaccination with boosters check with their doctor for advice.

We are now embarking on our fourth Pacific island nation medical education event in Samoa from 2930 September 2023. This medical conference is a joint effort with our sister association, the Samoan Medical Association, and is in collaboration with the Oceania University of Medicine, the National University of Samoa Medical School, and the Samoan Ministry of Health. The meeting is sponsored and supported by our own Bond and Griffith Universities.

Please consider attending. The meeting is being held within the September/October school holidays, so bring the family along too. Accommodation at the splendid resort in Apia is at very competitive ‘local’ rates. Just quote the Code

Our Women's Health Classes are specifically tailored for whether you are:

These classes are safe, targeted, and specialised to suit your needs number found on the registration website below to get this benefit. The website for registrations and further information about the program and excellent venue is: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gcma-samoan-medicalconference-2023-tickets-524227046207

At a recent GCMA executive meeting we decided that for this year we would have clinical/ educational meetings each two months. The schedule of meetings is now Thursday 18 May, Thursday 20 July, and in September the Samoan medical conference from Friday 29 to Saturday 30 September will replace the Thursday evening meeting. Our last Thursday evening meeting for the year will be Thursday 16 November. We have an exciting program planned for Thursday May 18. Dr Harald Puhalla and Dr Mark Forbes will examine the topic of weight loss from the surgical and medical perspective. In July we plan an informative session from the Genesis Care Cancer Service on the Gold Coast.

In our new meeting format we will include in the speakers’ presentations activities that can be claimed as ‘Reviewing Performance and Measuring Outcomes’ for Continuing Professional Development credits. This development will make our educational and clinical program more attractive to local general practitioners and specialists alike.

Working in the position of president of the GCMA is a joy. And it is made even more enjoyable by the hard work and support of my executive team members: A/Prof John Kearney, Prof Gordon Wright, Dr Maria Coliat, Dr Cassie Joyce, Dr Amy Doumany, A/Prof Stephen Weinstein, and our administrative officer Marnie Masor. This year Dr Graham Sivyer joins us as the GP representative and Prof Alfred Lam joins us as the academic representative.

I would also like to thank the loyal support of you, our GCMA members, through what have been at times difficult circumstances to navigate. Please join or rejoin the GCMA for this year and please invite your medical colleagues to join the GCMA at the website link: www.gcma.org.au/becoming-a-member

The Medical Link remains as our bi-monthly magazine. Please consider contributing articles on clinical, political, or personal hobbies or interest themes, as well as administrative and other topics of interest to our medical colleagues and the general public (who often read the magazine in clinical facilities and medical offices).

I look forward to meeting you at the next GCMA Thursday evening dinner meeting on 18 May at the Southport Golf Club.

Yours sincerely,

Prof Philip Morris AM President GCMA